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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040628.elmain/BNStory/specialDecision2004/

Nation watches Newfoundland's choice
Globe and Mail Update

The polls have closed in Newfoundland and Labrador as the rest of the nation watches for the outcome of an election expected to be the closest in decades.

With seven of 308 seats, the province will provide a first glimpse of the battle to form the next government. Indications are pointing to a minority, but Monday will determine what stripe, Liberal or Conservative.

At 7:30 p.m. EDT, the rest of the Atlantic provinces start reporting their results. The region, which went largely Liberal in 2000, has a total of 32 seats up for grabs.

Some two hours after that, at 9:30 p.m., five provinces and two territories with the weight of 239 seats will start reporting results. Key battlegrounds include Ontario, with one-third of the nation's seat and Quebec.

At 10 p.m., polls in British Columbia, providing what some has seen as a photo finish for a closely fought election.

The numbers are being shown live to all Canadians after Elections Canada lifted a ban that prevented voters from knowing results from other regions. B.C. voters, for example, will see Atlantic Canada's results for three hours and will have half an hour to see the rest of the country.

In Atlantic Canada, the Liberals entered the campaign with 19 MPs, the Conservatives had eight and the NDP, four.

At the end of the 36-day campaign, Paul Martin's Liberals and Stephen Harper's Conservatives were neck and neck in poll numbers. Both parties were not expected to gather enough seats to form a minority.

Ontario, which single handedly handed power to the Liberals, will be a key battleground as the Tories eyeing the suburbs, and the NDP are looking for a major breakthrough in cities and labour-friendly communities.

The Bloc is looking for a rout in Quebec, aiming to sweep the Liberals out and giving its leader Gilles Duceppe a possible role as kingmaker in a minority.

In the Prairies, the Tory stronghold in Alberta is seen holding firm, while Saskatchewan and Manitoba are witnesses to battles between the three main parties.